The Last American Hero

The Last American Hero also known as Hard Driver is a 1973 sports drama film based on the true story of American NASCAR driver Junior Johnson. Directed by Lamont Johnson, it stars Jeff Bridges as Junior Jackson, the character based on Johnson.

Junior Jackson Junior Johnson by Jeff Bridges, a stockcar stays one step ahead of reform school until his father Art Lund is thrown in prison for moonshining. Seeing the error of his ways, Jackson begins to concentrate his driving skills, hoping to become a professional stock car racer to raise money to get his father released from jail.

Source: Wikipedia